Celebrating a New Class of Firefighters in Ulster County

Photos and Story by Christein Aromando

NEW PALTZ — The Ulster County Firefighter I graduation ceremony was held on July 28th at SUNY New Paltz. Firefighters from every corner of Ulster County completed a rigorous 16-week course that consisted of both written and practical tests focusing on skills that included fire behavior, search and rescue, hose and ladder operations, and use of personal protective equipment. Completing Firefighter I means a firefighter is trained and qualified to safely enter burning buildings and perform critical emergency operations.

Participants also completed additional flashover training which prepares them for the most dangerous conditions they can face, such as extreme heat, thickening smoke and rollover flames. They learned techniques to escape or control these situations, building quick decision-making skills that can save lives.

The ceremony kicked off with a bagpipe procession and included remarks from Ulster County Executive, Jen Metzger, Emergency Services Director, Everett Erichsen, and Keynote Speaker, Chief Robert Troncillito. 

Graduates included: Fall 2024 - Jordan Anspach, Luke Bulla, Piero Di Nova, Josh Doyle, Peter Enea, Keely Fell, Robert Flynn, Raanan Gabriel, Kenneth Hanley, Isaiah Hilferty, Philippe Hyman, Daniel Knoth, Ricardo Martinez, Brianna O’Brien, Vincent Provenzano III, Tyler Syracusano, Edward Vickers and Donnie Yinger Jr.

Spring 2025 - Allen Baldwin, Maria Barca, Nicholas Caratzas, Daniel Casey, Christian Davis, Michael Finch, Kevin Hubbell, Payton Kothe, Chase Matteson, Cole Matteson, Isabella McLaughlin, Norbert Menetrier, Colby Merck, Angel Molina, Ryan Moxham, Richard Repetti, Lisa Roth, Izaak Schwaiger, Derek Stapleton and Nicholas Torres.

Summer 2025 - Gabriel Appler, William Facompre, Brody Lake Ferris, Zack Fox, Elise Franck, Aiden Freer, Maxfield Heisler, Cody Houghtaling, Colin Kordich, Cayden McQillan, Keith Mon, Thomas Murphy, Daviyan Parra, Tanner Pesce, Dylan Peterson, Hunter Pitkin, Tomas Rondon, Lukasz Sztaberek, Finn Wakely, William Walter, Patricia Wind, Nicholas York and Adel Zhamsapov.

We honor and celebrate these graduates who dedicated their time and hard work to become certified and who are willing to lay their lives on the line, most for no pay, to serve our communities.